WHAT'S NEW?
Natura Gardens is always looking for new and interesting products to offer our customers. We attend garden shows, speak with sales representatives from numerous companies and subscribe to the major industry magazines in order to stay up to date on new plants and trends in gardening.
Natura Gardens is excited to introduce.........
WYOMING NATURE CONNECTIONS
         Horticultural Therapy  Horticulture EducationÂ
                    Plant Science Education                                  Garden to Table Education     Nature AwarenessÂ
Are you or the organization you represent ready to try a new, interesting and engaging form of therapy?
Would you like your children or others in your care to know where their food comes from, what and why natural foods are nutritious along with how to garden and incorporate more fresh and natural foods into the diet?
What about knowing the science behind plants, why they are important to us and their role in the ecosystem?
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Would you like yourself, family or people in your care to feel a greater connection to nature?
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TRY OUT OUR NEW PROGRAM!
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Owners of Natura Gardens have been working diligently on a NEW program for Wyoming aimed at providing horticultural therapy, horticulture, plant science and garden to table education along with programs providing guidance to nature awareness.
Historically, humans have interacted intimately with nature through hunting, farming, ranching and living in places surrounded by nature. Humans Were a Part of Nature, Not Set Apart from Nature.
Within the last 100 years, and particularly the last 30, human interactions with nature have significantly decreased. Various reasons for this occurrence exist. Industrialization and the technological revolution have led to more jobs inside and mass food production requiring fewer farm and ranch families. Our busy lives don't include activities in nature such as gardening and raising small animals. Children's activities tend to be quite structured leaving little time for individual exploration. A large proportion of people live in large cities with little green space available to enjoy.
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Technology has affected how we interact with nature in ways other than just more jobs being moved indoors. Children spend a great percentage of free time on electronic devices rather than being pushed outside by their guardians. Parents often don't make their children go outside because of another technological change, the media and social platforms. People are inundated with all kinds of horrible things that happen around the world and parents are frightened that all the things they see on TV and read on the internet could happen to their children, even though the statistical chance is small, thus children aren't allowed out to explore on their own. Even in Wonderful Wyoming where we are surrounded by nature many people do not have opportunities to be in nature in meaningful ways.
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Because humans have been a part of nature not apart from nature for thousands of years it is reasonable to believe that significant reductions in nature interactions may be problematic, or if looked at another way, spending more time with nature would surely be beneficial. And current research about the effects of nature on humans as well as research examining how horticultural therapy benefits various populations is proving this to be the case. Participation in horticultural therapy has resulted in reduced stress levels, reduced heart rate, improved mental state, increased positive self image, enhanced coping skills, improved physical strength and motor skills, and improved social skills.
WHAT IS HORTICULTURAL THERAPY?
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Horticultural therapy utilizes gardening, plants and plant-based activities as an approach to defined therapeutic processes in social and physical wellness programs.
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The ultimate goal of horticultural therapy is for individuals to increase their quality of life in measurable ways.
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Horticultural therapy can be practiced on it's own or in conjunction with other professionals from diverse fields.
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​Horticultural therapy has been successfully practiced with all ages and genders in social, vocational and rehab settings and with diverse populations. This is what makes horticultural therapy unique - the ability to bridge a multitude of fields in human wellness.
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The therapist, in conjunction with the client and other necessary parties decide upon attainable goals the individual, client, or group hopes to achieve by participating in therapy.
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​Numerous elementary schools and well-known, respected institutions such as Rutgers University, Rusk Rehabilitation, the Chicago, Denver and New York Botanic Gardens, Anchor Center for Blind Children, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Monarch School of New England, and Hough Elementary practice and maintain horticultural therapy programs.
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​Many adaptive tools have been designed and are available to make practicing horticultural therapy possible for nearly anyone.
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​Pre-School and School Aged Children ​-Where: pre-schools, daycares, elementary/middle/high schools, after school programs, enrichment programs summer programs -Purpose: nature awareness & appreciation, sensory, fine & gross motor skills, enjoyment, emotional well being, anger management, depression, anxiety, behavioral, communication, stress, education, self concept, sharing, food awareness, independence, healthy eating
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
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Humans are complex creatures, not often do individuals conveniently fit into one definitive category. The beauty of horticultural therapy is the ability to practice it in varying forms with a myriad of people successfully.
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Anyone who wishes to have greater quality of life will benefit from engaging in horticultural therapy.
EVERYONE!
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Elders -Where: at home, senior centers, assisted living centers, nursing homes, day centers -Purpose: socialization, emotional well being, physical activity (strength, motor skills, balance), grief, dementia, depression, stress. enjoyment,
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Adults & Children with Cognitive & Learning Disabilities - Where: schools, day programs, therapeutic organizations, group homes -Purpose: vocational, educational, social/emotional, fine & gross motor skills, enjoyment, emotional well being, depression, anxiety, improvement of self concept, discovery of potential, healthy eating
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Adults & Children with Physical Disabilities (Congenital/Acquired) - ​Where: schools, rehabilitation hospitals, physical/occupational therapeutic services, specialized schools -Purpose: fine & gross motor skills, balance, strength, acquisition of new hobbies, enjoyment, emotional well being, depression, anxiety, vocational, enhanced self concept
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Youth at Risk -Where: schools, after school programs, juvenile detention centers, crisis centers, mental health facilities, community gardens -Purpose: self concept, nature awareness appreciation, emotional well being, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, communication, stress, education, self concept, independence, healthy eating, vocational, creating healthy habits
Children
Cognitive & Learning Disabilities
Elders
Physical Disabilities
Youth at Risk
BACKGROUND
Monika Jozwik-Ratliff
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M.S. Plant Science
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Certificate Horticultural Therapy
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25+ years working in the field of horticulture, many as manager and head grower.
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Invaluable experience working with 100's of customers and employees.
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Current owner of Natura Gardens
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Mental Health
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​​​​Individuals Coping with Mental Health Disorders -Where: mental health facilities, counseling centers schools, hospitals, places of incarceration -Purpose: enhanced self concept, emotional well being, depression, anxiety, behavioral issues, communication, stress, social skills
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Substance Abuse (Current/Recovering) -Where: mental health hospitals, rehabilitation centers, rescue missions, counseling centers -Purpose:social/emotional, emotional well being, mentalh self concept
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​​​​​​Incarcerated -Where: prisons, local detention centers, re-entry programs -Purpose: vocational, social/emotional, enjoyment, sense of community, mental health
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​​​​​​Veterans -Where: veteran clinics and hospitals -Purpose: vocational, social/emotional, depression, anxiety, mental health, creation new hobbies
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​​​​​Homeless -Where: homeless shelters, transitional housing, rescue missions -Purpose: vocational, emotional well being, depression, anxiety, self concept, stress
​Vetrans
Homeless
Incarcerated
Abuse
Francis X. Jozwik
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Ph.D. Plant Science
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Former university professor in plant science
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Research scientist for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia
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Author of numerous books about working and starting a business in the horticulture industry
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Wyoming pioneer in the "Green Industry" as the owner/operator of a large wholesale and retail greenhouse beginning in 1969!
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Current owner of Natura Gardens
BRING PROGRAMMING TO YOUR ORGANIZATION
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like more information about the programming we offer or if you would like to discuss how programming could be incorporated into your organization.